Chamber rails against sell-off

THE Coffs Harbour Chamber of Commerce is going to the top in its bid to save rail land at the Jetty Strip.

The chamber will lobby the NSW Government’s Land and Property Management Authority and the Australian Rail Track Corporation over the issue.

A chamber spokesman said the chamber would write to these agencies “about our concerns regarding the disposal of rail property adjacent to the Jetty and Harbour precinct in Coffs Harbour”.

“The chamber feels the sale of this land is premature in light of the fact that a Harbour and Foreshore development plan has still not been completed and the land in question is the ‘gateway’ to the Harbour precinct.

“If an overall development plan for the precinct is finalised, we believe that an opportunity exists to maximise the return to the Crown and to the people of Coffs Harbour for this and other adjacent rail property also earmarked for alternative use.

“A golden opportunity exists to create a gateway statement on this parcel of land, perhaps incorporating an overhead pedestrian walkway to supplement the un-manned rail crossing which will become increasingly crowded, raising safety issues as rail traffic through our city increases as forecast.

“The chamber has requested the parties concerned consider delaying the changed status of the land until the community is advised of long- term access details of the rail crossing to the Harbour and any plans for the future development of redundant rail land in the Harbour precinct.”